After realizing some cameras along the Columbus Riverwalk are ineffective at night, officials said the city may sue for a refund.
Mayor Robert Smith confirmed Tuesday that the issue with security firm Knight Hawk Security had been turned over to city attorney Jeff Turnage for review and possibly litigation.
“We just want to see where we go now,” Smith said.
City Chief Operations Officer David Armstrong said last week that the city had just found out in July that the resolution of some cameras, which were installed in September 2010, was too low at night to be of any use to police.
In a statement released Tuesday, Knight Hawk Security representative Karen Johnston said there is “no basis for any refund” because the 12 cameras in the park and along part of the nature trail “operate correctly.”
“The blame for the quality of pictures or videos is being wrongfully shifted to Knight Hawk Security when the cause of the low picture-quality at night results from deficient lighting,” she said in the statement. “Knight Hawk Security was not asked to install any lighting, and informed city officials of the need for better lighting prior to installation of the cameras.”
The security firm, Johnston continued, had advised city officials both in writing and by word of mouth before installation that the lighting should be improved.
“We did this by the letter,” she added.
But last week, city administrative officials said they were under the impression when the cameras were installed that current lighting would be adequate.
In a weekly department heads meeting Aug. 1, officials said better lighting or better cameras could resolve the issue, but would likely cost more than the city would be willing to spend.
“We”ll explore our options,” Armstrong said Tuesday.
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